April 15th: NFL Draft Visits, Workouts & Notes

15Apr

Inside of a week before the 2010 NFL Draft is officially underway and the news continues to fly. Tonight we offer the latest on what Al Davis is thinking, where running back Ryan Matthews may end up and what the Atlanta Falcons are hoping for. Also included in tonight’s edition are more official visits and workouts. Update: 5PM- Satele Available next week!

Many feel Al Davis is likely to take an offensive tackle in round one; either Trent Williams or Bruce Campbell. Tonight sources close to the situation have told us the apple of Al’s eye is Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain. The junior defender does not necessarily fit the ideal speed equation for Davis but definitely has the size Davis likes. Will the Oakland Raiders pull the trigger on selecting McClain with the eight pick? There’s a good chance.

Opinions are mixed on McClain as some teams don’t like him and a few think he’s soft. One team not enamored with McClain are the New York Giants. Sources have told us the organization much prefers Sean Weatherspoon and if the opportunity arises for the Giants to trade down and select the Missouri linebacker later in the frame, they would jump at the chance. We understand the Giants are hoping Derrick Morgan falls into their laps.

The Giants brought in Wyoming defensive lineman Mitch Unrein in for an official visit. Urein also visited the Chicago Bears and has worked out with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Atlanta Falcons are another team keeping their fingers crossed a highly rated defensive end falls into their laps. The player the team really wants is Brandon Graham and they will also consider Jason Pierre-Paul. Florida center Maurkice Pouncey is also high on the team’s list of sought after players.

The news for Syd’Quan Thompson is not positive.

Ten teams came out to watch the cornerback run the forty last weekend but Thompson aggravated the hamstring injury which has been bothering him since the Senior Bowl. MRI’s of the injury have been sent to all 32 teams with the hopes it will dispel any belief Thompson is not running to camouflage a lack of speed. Yet even with that most from his camp realize Thompson now grades no better than a fourth round choice.

One cornerback garnering a lot of attention is Dominique Franks. The Oklahoma junior has been on visits to see the Baltimore Ravens, Minnesota Vikings, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Running back Ryan Matthews has been a busy man lately. He’s been on visits to see the St Louis Rams, Cleveland Browns and San Diego Chargers. He also worked out with the Chargers, Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots.

Conventional wisdom has Mathews going to the Chargers but sources we spoke with think he won’t make it to the 28th selection as the Houston Texans will scoop him up at pick number 20. Mathews could be a perfect fit for the Texans offense and be the feature back the team desires.

Mathews college teammate, receiver Seyi Ajirotutu, has worked out with the New England Patriots and is also drawing a lot of interest from the Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers.

We’ve been closely monitoring the situation surrounding Hawaii linebacker Brashton Satele. The senior, you may remember, has applied to the NCAA for a sixth season of eligibility after spending two years on the sidelines with injury.

As of today the NCAA requested additional information from Satele but has yet to make a final decision. NFL teams have been calling about Satele’s availability next week and interest in the linebacker has been significant. Sources close to the situation said if the NCAA cannot make a decision by Monday Satele is likely to tell teams if he’s selected in the draft he will not return to Hawaii in 2010 no matter what decision the NCAA hands down.

Update: Sources have just notified us that the NCAA has rejected the petition of Satele for a sixth year of eligibility. As a result he is available for next weeks draft. We will have updates as well as a full report on Satele in the coming days.

A pair of Kentucky Wildcats have been busy traveling the nation.

Defensive lineman Corey Peters has been on visits to see the Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets.

Fullback John Conner has also visited with the Lions, Bengals besides the Dallas Cowboys.

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